Preparing for a Change of Status of Residence

If you want to continue employing Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals long-term at a nursing care facility beyond their five-year period of stay, considering a transition from Specified Skilled Worker (i) Nursing Care to the “Nursing Care” status of residence is one key point when designing your hiring plan.

Obtaining the “Nursing Care” status of residence requires a certified care worker qualification.

Encouraging the transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence supports developing foreign certified care workers, securing foreign nationals who can work long-term at nursing care facilities, and supporting career paths for Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals.

In nursing care facilities facing labor shortages where even securing staff is difficult, support that extends into foreign nationals’ careers may not always be feasible. However, proactive foreign nationals who aim to settle in Japan and become certified care workers are expected to receive support that respects that intention.

What Is the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence?

The “Nursing Care” status of residence is a status that allows foreign nationals to work in Japan’s nursing care field.

It is a new status of residence that began in September 2017 to address labor shortages in Japan’s nursing care industry.

On April 1, 2020, the regulations for the “Nursing Care” status of residence were amended so that the status is granted regardless of the route by which the certified care worker qualification was obtained, broadening opportunities for foreign nationals to work in the nursing care industry.

Previously, the “Nursing Care” status of residence was only permitted via the certified care worker training facility route, but there are now no restrictions on the acquisition route.

Routes for Specified Skilled Worker Foreign Nationals to Transition to the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence

Foreign nationals can transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence via the training facility route or the practical experience route. Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals can transition via the practical experience route.

Because the “Nursing Care” status of residence requires three years of practical experience, during the five years that Specified Skilled Worker (i) Nursing Care allows work at a nursing care facility, it is possible to obtain the certified care worker qualification and transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence within the Specified Skilled Worker period of stay.

In addition, those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) over three years can transition to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and then pursue the route to the “Nursing Care” status of residence.

On the training facility route, most cases involve international students who obtain the certified care worker qualification while working part-time in nursing care, then transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence and take employment after graduation.

・Training facility route

Study for two or more years at a certified care worker training facility → Obtain certified care worker qualification → Receive a job offer from a nursing care facility → Obtain status of residence → Begin practical work

・Practical experience route

Three years of practical experience → Obtain certified care worker qualification → Employment contract with a nursing care facility → Transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence → Begin practical work

What Are the Passing Standards for the Certified Care Worker Qualification?

The national certified care worker examination held in January 2021 had a pass rate of 71.0%.

For the written exam, the passing standard is a score of 75 or higher out of a total of 125 points, with at least one correct answer in each subject group.

For the practical exam, a score of 53.33 or higher out of a total of 100 points.

(*The passing standard is adjusted each year based on roughly 60% of the total score, depending on the difficulty of that year’s questions.)

What Japanese Language Ability Is Required for the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence?

Because the certified care worker qualification exam is conducted in specialized Japanese, foreign nationals need Japanese language ability of N2 or higher.

JLPT N2 level means the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, plus a certain degree of Japanese used in a wider range of situations.

Period of Stay and Family Accompaniment under the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence

Under Specified Skilled Worker Nursing Care, the status of residence was limited to a total of five years, but under the “Nursing Care” status of residence, although renewal of the period of stay is required, there is no limit, which has the advantage of enabling long-term employment in the nursing care industry.

In addition, the “Nursing Care” status of residence permits family accompaniment, which is not allowed under Specified Skilled Worker, making it possible to secure talent who wish to settle in Japan and work in the nursing care industry.

Work Duties Possible under the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence

Under the “Nursing Care” status of residence, obtaining the certified care worker qualification expands the scope of duties beyond those under Specified Skilled Worker (i) Nursing Care.

Using the five years as a preparation period before Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals transition to the “Nursing Care” status of residence—gaining solid practical experience in nursing care, studying for the certified care worker qualification that leads to future skill development, and obtaining the “Nursing Care” status of residence—will positively affect foreign nationals’ motivation.

● Duties that foreign nationals under Specified Skilled Worker (i) Nursing Care can perform

Physical care and support duties (limited to assisting with recreation and functional training; home-visit nursing is not covered).

● Main duties of a certified care worker

Physical care, daily living assistance, mental care, nursing care consultation and instructional support, team management, home-visit nursing, and similar duties.

Workplaces Where Foreign Nationals with the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence Can Be Employed

Special nursing homes for the elderly / fee-based homes for the elderly / long-term care health facilities / long-term care medical facilities

Serviced housing for older people / group homes / day services / day care services

How to Apply for the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence

Submit the following documents to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to complete the application procedures.

・Application for Change of Status of Residence: 1 copy

・Photograph (4 cm × 3 cm): 1 photo

・Presentation of passport

・Presentation of residence card

・Certified care worker registration certificate (copy): 1 copy

・Document clearly stating the working conditions issued to the worker: 1 copy

・If working under a dispatch contract, notice of working conditions (employment contract), etc.: 1 copy

・Document clarifying an overview of the contracting organization: 1 copy

・Declaration regarding skill transfer (*Required only when changing status from the “Technical Intern Training” status of residence)

Summary

We have explained the transition route from Specified Skilled Worker Nursing Care to the “Nursing Care” status of residence as a way to connect foreign nationals who wish to work in the nursing care industry with longer-term employment.

To establish foreign nationals’ employment in the nursing care industry and better advance approaches that connect to foreign nationals’ career plans, it will be necessary to also consider their status of residence.